Using Gmail/Google SMTP Services with Web+Center

Welcome to Internet Software Sciences Newsletter – #102  September 2013

Using Gmail/Google App Services with Web+Center

Some Web+Center users are using Google-based App services or regular Gmail accounts for their mail services..  The Web+Center application sends out many notification messages and requires an option to send emails out through an SMTP mail server.  Google provides an SMTP mail server through which to send out-going emails, but it requires the  SSL protocol to be used.
Google App SMTP mail server requires SSL on ports 465 or 587.  More details and requirements can be found on the Google Apps and Documentation page.

Since Web+Center version 7.0, our ASP SMTP mailer embedded with Web+Center application supports SSL/TLS protocols but some simple changes are required to the Web+Center code to support SSL.

Step 1:

To enable SSL/TLS for Web+Center, simply edit the SendEmail.inc located in the Web+Center language directory with a plain TEXT editor.

In that module, search and find the following code:

‘ Send email by SSL connection with direct SSL.
‘oSmtp.ServerPort = 465
‘oSmtp.SSL_init
‘oSmtp.SSL_starttls = 0

Simply un-comment the three lines of code by removing the single quote character at the beginning of each line as shown below.  Do not remove the quote character on the comment line that says “Send email by SSL connection”.

‘ Send email by SSL connection with direct SSL.
oSmtp.ServerPort = 465
oSmtp.SSL_init
oSmtp.SSL_starttls = 0

Step 2:

Enter your Gmail full email address and Gmail password into the SMTP Host settings on the System Configuration Options page.  The System Configuration Options page is found by pressing Administration.. System Configuration Menu… , System Configuration Options.  (See figure Below)

Future versions of SendEmail.inc will include code that automatically checks for a “gmail” address string in the SMTP username field and if found it will automatically call this code.  If you wish to add this code snippet to your SendEmail.inc file in the same area as this existing code that is commented out by default, it is shown below:

‘ Google Email Services Code – Added 8/29/2013

IF (instr(1, smtp_user_name, “gmail”, 1) <> 0 ) Then
‘ The string gmail is found in the SMTP username authentication so launch SSL

‘ Send email by SSL connection with direct SSL.
oSmtp.ServerPort = 465
oSmtp.SSL_init
oSmtp.SSL_starttls = 0

End If

 

Web+Center User Contest extended until 9/15/2013!

We know there are more Web+Center users out there that may want to participate in our User Contest, so we have extended the deadline for submissions until September 15th, 2013.  If you are interested, please read the information below.  Chances are pretty good you will win that Starbucks Gift card!

It’s easy, fun and rewarding to be part of the Web+Center user contest!

Everyday we connect with Web+Center  users from all over the world who have been using our software for multiple years and we are simply amazed at the longevity of installations and number of tickets they have logged with the system and the variety of  user organizations that use the software.  We certainly want to thank you and your organizations for continuing  to use and tell others about the Web+Center help desk.

To show our appreciation for users, we thought it might be fun to set up a simple Web+Center user contest to identify some unique organizations that have been using Web+Center for years and reward them with a $25 Starbucks gift card.  We will announce the winners of each of the Web+Center user contests in a future newsletter.  It’s simple to participate! Simply email us answers to the contest questions below to the best of your ability.

HINT: We will award  multiple place winners for each of the contests, so your chances of winning a Starbucks gift card are pretty high so please take the time to submit your entry! It’s our way to Thank you for being such a loyal Web+Center user.

Win a $25 Starbucks Gift Card!

Contest Information:

There are 6 Web+Center user contests:

(1) Most number of Web+Center tickets  – Simply email us your highest Web+Center ticket number

(2) Longest running Web+Center application – We have several organizations that have used Web+Center for over 10 years with various version upgrades.  Let us know when your organization started using Web+Center.   Feel free to contact us and we can review your downloads in our database if that would be helpful to trace your Web+Center roots.

(3) Most number of tickets created with a free (2) tech license key.

(4) Largest number of customers in the Web+Center database – Use the Tech+Center Status/Tools button to determine the total number of customers.

(5) Most unique organization or application of Web+Center.  If you feel your organization or how you use Web+Center is unique, include a 1-2 line paragraph describing your organization and how you use Web+Center for that organization.

(6) The most dedicated Web+Center user – Several Web+Center users have moved from one business or organization to another over the years and at each new business, they have chosen Web+Center as their choice of a IT trouble ticket system.  If you fit this bill, simply email us the names and numbers of companies where you have implemented or use Web+Center.  Maybe even send your photo!

To enter the contest:

Simply send an email to support@inet-sciences.com with the following information:

  • Your Name
  • Email Address
  • Organization Name
  • Mailing address so we can send you the Starbucks gift card.
  • Answers to the questions mentioned above

Contest Rules:

  • All entries must be emailed to Internet Software Sciences by 9/15/2013
  • Contest  is open for licensed and unlicensed free (2) tech users
  • Winners will be mailed a $25 Starbucks Coffee Gift card

We hope you enjoyed your summer.   We are busy developing release 8.0  of Web+Center that should be available in late Fall 2013.  This release will include a new mobile app for technicians to access the Web+Center support system.  If you have any special feature requests for this release or wish to be part of the Tech+Mobile beta testing program, feel free to contact us.  Your input and product feedback is extremely valuable to develop our next version that meets the changing requirements of IT departments.

Happy Ticketing,

Scott Vanderlip
President, Internet Software Sciences